COMPANY bosses Karen and Richard Beaver cycled 300 miles across Vietnam into Cambodia – and raised over £2,000 for charity.

And this week the pair handed over a cheque to local charity SURE (Somerset Unit for Radiography Equipment) to help with valuable equipment for Musgrove Park Hospital’s Beacon Centre.

Apart from a snake nearly landing on Karen’s head when it dropped out of a tree, and having to ride in blistering temperatures of around 36 degrees C, “all went well” said Karen.

It was the sixth charity effort she has undertaken and Richard’s second, but it was the first time they have cycled, and they spent all year training for it.

The details of the trip were organised by Charity Challenge, a UK tour operator which helps people raise money for charities of their choice through bike rides, runs, treks and climbs.

“The distances were fine because of our training but the heat was a killer,” said Karen.

“We started at 7am and kept going through midday as we had to cover a set amount each day together with our UK and local guides.

“It was just amazing seeing the people, going through little villages – but it was very good to be home.”

The couple’s family business Beaver Garages in Minehead covers the cost of the trip so that every penny of the £2,131.47 they raised goes directly to SURE.

Minehead Cricket Club supported the charity cycle ride through fundraising events, and friends also rallied round to sponsor.

Karen has done charity challenges in the past with her son Luke and daughter Kristy Johnson, who both help in the family business, and has been on the Inca Trail, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and to Morocco, Argentina and India.

And once Christmas is over, she said, she will start thinking about what challenge to do next.

Richard and Karen are pictured on the left and right after presenting their cheque to Carole Summerfield and Ray Hole.